History of the Hanged Man Card
Being hung upside down was a common punishment for traitors in Italy around the time that Tarot became popular. However, it's important to note that the man typically depicted seems quite unperturbed by what's happening to him. Some have suggested that the beam he hangs from is actually a branch from the Tree of Life. In some decks, the Hanged Man is portrayed by the Norse god, Odin.
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